Can anyone find me a dress like this that's not £300??

[ScoobyDooWhereAreYou]

www.karenmillen.comfashion/karenmillen/fcp-product/903000059528?gclid=CLffn8O-2rcCFUTHtAodDCwAJA

It's for a wedding this weekend (I know!). I need a maxi as my legs are covered in bruises (DS learning to ride bike) but I'm short so can't do billowy. This was lovely, fitted bodice, room to eat and move, I felt really nice in it etc. £300 though, ouch.

I think that is the kind of dress that you see very cheap rip-offs of in shops like H&M, though I don't doubt the material and fit is much, much nicer. It is pretty but I honestly don't love it - it looks like it is two different dresses, neither one thing nor the other...and I don't think it's worth that kind of money. What's it made of? If it's polyester, I wouldn't.
It's worth looking at Mint Velvet. You can get 20% off dresses by entering summerdress in the promo box and they do free returns, I believe.
This is a nice one, would look great accessorised well Silk too! Don't know your size but 8, 10 and 12 still in stock. Just over a hundred quid with discount.

www.mintvelvet.co.uk/anisa-print-silk-maxi-dress/dresses/mint-v/fcp-product/2832

This Jigsaw one is £225. It is really beautiful and would look really nice accessorized with muted golds (clutch and sandals). I know their stuff runs long though so you'd be reliant on a good seamstress for hemming.
www.johnlewis.com/jigsaw-dapple-leaf-maxi-dress-dark-green/p443786

I think this Monsoon one is nice (£119)
uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_13.11/3531026110

Check out Ted Baker's site too...dear but they do a fair few maxi dresses.

If none of these float your boat, I'd buy the one you love. It will be an item you can come back to again and again. Alternatively, if it's a popular dress you could buy, wear it to the wedding, get it dry-cleaned and put it on Ebay.

Hope you find something. Let us know ...

angus I love that Phase Eight dress!

Aw thank you so much. I agree completely that the KM one isn't worth it, it's silk and I still really love it on, it's very flattering, but it shouldn't be that much and that puts me off it.

I've pounded the Trafford Centre today, tried on absolutely everything, and have come away with this Mint Velvet number www.mintvelvet.co.uk/pws/ProductDetails.ice?ProductID=3025&redirect=true which is nice, not what I was after but I felt swishy in it. Bit worried the print looks like mould??? Hmm, may get the black...

I'm obviously going to have to return it and order online to use that fabby code though either way and will wait for the KM one to turn up in the sale!

The Mint Velvet dress is beautiful, great choice. I think the print is very pretty. I did look at that dress myself but you said you wanted a maxi Maybe if you call Mint Velvet and tell them you needed the dress in a hurry and bought in-store they would reimburse you what you would have saved by using the code? Worth a shot. Yeah, I would wait and see if the KM one comes up in sale and save it for a different event. Hope you have great time at the wedding.

Amanda - the p8 dress is now £79 from P8 online

Scooby, this has just gone into sale on John Lewis...you could get next day delivery. Half price, now £130... Also in a red shade but this is nicer
www.johnlewis.com/whistles-narcisse-lace-maxi-dress/p455713?colour=Grey
[Smile]

Serbrienne thanks - I only wish I had an occasion that would warrant buying it!

Could you wear some printed trousers with a black strapless top instead? Quite close to the KM dress look. That would look extremely chic for a wedding, and there are LOADS of printed silk trousers (either cigarette leg or 70s style wide leg) in all the high street stores atm.

If you can get to Primark (yes I know!) in Tottenham Court road, I saw very similar there last Sunday (not real silk, obv )